Men of Power. Кэрол Мортимер

for a walk into town.”

      “Permit me to accompany you.”

      She shook her head. “That’s all right.”

      “You prefer to be alone? I suffered the heavy traffic all the way from Milano to pay my respects.”

      That, plus his crestfallen look, made up her mind for her.

      “If you want to.” Massimo had told her to come to him if she felt uncomfortable, but she didn’t. Not with Vigo. “I’m going to play tourist for a while. I’ve never been to Europe. Everything is a new experience.”

      He smiled. “I’ve been at university and rarely come to Bellagio. It’s been at least three years. We’ll explore together.”

      Vigo turned out to be an entertaining companion. She saw none of the dour traits his uncles exhibited. He bought them ice cream called gelato. After one taste she fell in love with it.

      They walked the crowded cobblestone streets and arcaded buildings that gave the town its charm. Used to the hills in San Francisco, she was ready for the steep steps in between the shops. They convinced her a stroller would have been an encumbrance.

      Nicky loved being outside. Though not as hot as Sonoma, it was plenty warm. At one point she stopped at a stone bench along the lakeside promenade to give him some water from a bottle she’d packed. He tried to hold the bottle himself and drank thirstily.

      Her companion smiled. “Niccolo’s got the right idea. Why don’t we eat dinner at the restaurant we just passed.”

      Before she could tell him she had to get Nicky back to the villa, a forbidding male voice said, “Haven’t you got studies, Vigo?”

      Julie’s head flew back to confront Massimo’s black look eyeing the three of them intently. Vigo looked startled.

      “Buonasera, Massimo. It’s been a long time.” After a tense pause, “I’m sorry about Pietra. I was just telling Julie.”

      “Were you indeed,” came the withering comment.

      Vigo cleared his throat nervously. “I came to see you, too, but as she was going for a walk, I invited myself along to get better acquainted with Niccolo.” Vigo was putting on a good act, but Julie could tell he was uncomfortable. “I guess I’d better get going.”

      The encounter had turned ugly. Julie felt she had to say something. “It was very nice meeting you, Vigo. Thank you for the gelato.”

      “You’re welcome.”

      “Better call your father on the way to your car,” Massimo rapped out. “He phoned a while ago, no doubt looking for you.”

      Vigo looked less than thrilled. He gave him a nod before walking off.

      Julie lowered her head because she hadn’t seen this side of Massimo since she’d confronted him at the hotel. This was the side she’d been fearing would resurface.

      His tone, his whole demeanor bordered on ice. Nicky must have sensed the tension because he’d stopped drinking.

      “I’ll burp him,” Massimo declared. In a lightning move he took the baby from her and put him against his broad shoulder. The next thing she knew he threw up his water and part of his earlier formula.

      “Oh, no!” she cried.

      It ran all over the open-necked blue sport shirt that complemented Massimo’s burnished complexion. Maybe Nicky’s tummy upset frightened him because he started crying so hard, people were looking at them as if they’d done something terrible to him.

      “Here.” Julie pulled out a cloth and would have wiped off his shoulder, but he told her to put it back. “We need to get him to the villa fast. He looks flushed.”

      She put her hand on the baby’s forehead. He definitely felt feverish. Massimo was right. This wasn’t like Nicky.

      Riddled with guilt, she gathered the sling, then had to run to keep up with him. “I must have kept him out too long, but it doesn’t feel that hot.”

      “Maybe it’s the change in climate.” He pulled the cell phone from his rear pocket without missing a stride. “I’ll call Lia to send for Pietra’s physician. She’ll have Dr. Brazzi’s number.”

      Following his brief conversation spoken in rapid Italian, they accomplished the walk in record time with Nicky crying all the way. When she noticed Vigo’s car was gone, she shivered in relief.

      Massimo took the stairs two at a time to the nursery. After changing the baby’s diaper, he walked the floor with him whispering endearments like any anxious, devoted father. She saw no hesitation in his movements. No second-guessing. He did what came instinctively.

      Minutes later Nicky laid his golden head against Massimo’s neck. His cries had become whimpers. In front of her eyes Julie watched them bond.

      A lump swelled in her throat to see his little body nestle closer to his uncle, whose wavy black hair provided such a contrast. Nicky had just discovered security in a pair of masculine arms other than his father’s.

      Soon Julie heard sounds behind her. When she turned, she discovered Lia had come in the room with a short, middle-aged woman carrying a doctor’s bag. She greeted Massimo warmly, then turned to Julie. After introductions were made, she took the baby from him. Immediately he started crying again.

      Julie moved to the end of the crib to watch her take his vital signs. Her heart pounded in fear that something serious might be wrong. Massimo stood next to the doctor, his striking features taut with concern.

      While the doctor listened to his lungs, Massimo flashed Julie a glance she didn’t dare examine too closely. He’d been angry earlier. Now this crisis.

      “Several things could be responsible for his spike in temperature,” the doctor said, breaking in on Julie’s torturous thoughts. “He could be teething early or he could be coming down with a summer cold. There’s a third possibility.

      “Because his fever came on so fast, he could be developing a condition called rosiola, which is very common with infants. They’re grumpy and off their food for a day or two. Watch for a rash.”

      “He has one already,” Massimo said before Julie could.

      “No, no. This one will cover his trunk and face. But whatever is wrong, it’s not serious.”

      “Thank heaven,” Julie cried. Again Massimo eyed her; however, this time relief dominated his expression.

      “In all three instances, the treatment is the same. Give him the liquid baby ibuprofen.”

      “I brought what Pietra used for him.”

      “Good. Follow the directions. Keep him hydrated. If he doesn’t want his formula, coax him first with a little sugar water. It’s an old trick, but it works better than a lot of the products on the market.”

      She closed her bag. “Call me if you have any questions.”

      “We will,” Massimo asserted.

      Julie shook her hand. “Thank you so much for coming.”

      “My pleasure. Pietra was a lovely woman. He’s a lovely baby. What a tragedy his parents are gone. He’s going to need all the love you can give him. That’ll get him better in a hurry.”

      Tears glazed Julie’s eyes. “We know.”

      While Massimo walked her out of the room, Julie reached for Nicky. “I’m going to give you some medicine, then warm you another bottle of formula. We’ll take it slowly until you’re all better.”

      Three days later the rash came, signifying that the worst of the rosiola was over. Massimo had taken turns with her getting up with him in the night. During the daylight hours they’d continued to spell each other off.

      She’d thought he might leave for Milan